Surname Kotek - Meaning and Origin
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Kotek: What does the surname Kotek mean?
The last name Kotek is of Slavic origin and is a diminutive form of the name Kot, which means "timid person" or "coward". This name would have been given to someone who was considered to be shy or timid.
The earliest record of the Kotek surname dates back over 200 years in Poland's national archive. It was greatly popularized by the 18th century Polish illustrator Marian Kotek, who became well-known for his detailed landscape paintings. His artwork served to enhance the popularity of the surname due to his immense fame and success as an artist.
Today, the Kotek surname is spread throughout Eastern European countries, including the Czech Republic, Russia, Slovakia, and Poland. People with this last name are thought to be creative and artistic, yet shy and reserve. They are often drawn towards the arts or sciences, and many successful individuals with this surname have risen to fame in their respective fields.
In conclusion, the last name Kotek is of Slavic origin and is derived from the word 'Kot', meaning "timid person". It is an ancient and popular name, which is closely associated with artistic creativity, and is seen today in many Eastern European countries.
Order DNA origin analysisKotek: Where does the name Kotek come from?
The last name Kotek is most common in Poland, where it is found in the region's northeast corner. It is also found in lower numbers in other parts of Central and Eastern Europe, including Belarus, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Romania. Outside of Europe, the name also appears in small numbers in countries such as Israel, Australia, Canada, and the United States.
In Poland, Kotek is the 124th most common last name. The name is most popular in the provinces of Podlaskie, Podlasie, & Łomża, where it accounts for 0.19% of the population. It is also relatively common in the region of Płock, where it is the 157th most popular surname, accounting for 0.11% of the population.
In the United States, Kotek is the 50,020th most common last name, accounting for 0.008% of the population, and is found mostly in Pennsylvania and the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. It is also found in other parts of the country in small numbers.
Overall, the last name Kotek is much more common in solid numbers in Eastern Europe and is seen in lower numbers elsewhere, particularly in the United States.
Variations of the surname Kotek
The surname Kotek is derived from a variety of forms and spellings, most traceable back to a Polish-Slavic origin. Variations of the Kotek surname range from Kotek, Kotekh, Kotkai, Kotey, Kotyak, and Kotyk. The Kotek surname is also used as Rootke or Rotka in some regions, both of which derive from the same Polish root “kot”, meaning "cat".
Outside of Poland, similar spellings and variants of the Kotek surname include Kotke, Koteck, Kotekki, Kotaki, Kotak, Kotka, Kotkevich, Koteke, Kotyk, Kotecky, Kotkovsky, Kotkevich, and Kotkov.
One of the most common derivations of the Kotek surname is Kotecki, which is found in large numbers throughout Poland and in many other European countries such as Germany, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, and other areas of Eastern Europe.
The variations of the Kotek surname may also be found throughout Scandinavia and Canada, as well as the United States, such as in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York.
The surname Kotek also has variants outside the Polish-Slavic language, such as a Welsh version, Koteg, which is derived from the Welsh words for "cat" and "father". This Welsh version of the surname is chiefly found in Wales and England.
The Kotek surname can also be pronounced in various accents with differing spellings in other countries, such as Kotchek in Ukraine and Kotschak in Germany.
The sibilant Swiss variant Kotxkay is often found in Switzerland and Austria, while the Russian form Kotkov is common in Ukraine and Russia. The surname Kotecki is found in Romania, and similar surnames are found in Azerbaijan and other countries of the former Soviet Union.
Famous people with the name Kotek
- Amanda Kotek: American actress who has appeared in Into the Dark, Lethal Weapon and Furthermore.
- Mieczysław Kotek: Polish composer, conductor and pianist.
- Martina Kotek: Czech artist known for her drawings, paintings and installations on the theme of spiritual transformation.
- Mája Kotek-Šmídová: Czech psychologist and researcher in psychiatric and psycho-social sciences.
- Logan Kotek: Canadian actor and musician most known for his roles in films and series such as War for the Planet of the Apes, Black Summer and Polaroid.
- Alon Kotek: Israeli author and journalist, winner of the Sapir Prize.
- Andrzej Kotek: Polish jazz composer and pianist, leader of the Sextet Kotek.
- Steve Kotek: American theater, opera, television and film director. He is also a choreographer and Teaching Artist for Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
- Julia Kotek: German historian specialized in the history and development of the European Union.
- Jiri Kotek – Czech philosopher and pedagogue with a special interest in the importance of dialogue in education.